At least 41 people in Minnesota and Wisconsin have been sickened in a Salmonella and E. coli outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts, health officials said.
Health officials said the illnesses have been linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, a Minnesota-based grower. The products are sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands at restaurants and grocery stores.
The outbreaks are notable because food poisoning outbreaks are typically caused by a single type of bacteria.
“It’s very unusual to have two bugs,” according to lawyer Bill Marler, who has worked on food safety cases for decades.
Marler noted that alfalfa sprouts can easily trap contaminants, so they are difficult to clean and easy for bacteria to spread when grown in warm water.
"Our sprouts grow in pure Minnesota water for some of the highest quality sprouts in the nation," it said.
NTD reached out to Everything Sprouts seeking comment but did not receive a response by publication.
Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned Everything Sprouts of violations following an inspection at its facility in Minneapolis in which they found insanitary conditions.
Officials in both states are urging consumers to check for alfalfa sprouts sold under either brand, avoid eating them, and throw them away.
People can become infected with Salmonella and E. coli by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
Salmonella commonly causes diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms typically begin within several hours to a few days after exposure and usually resolve within a week.
E. coli includes many different strains. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps and diarrhea that may become bloody.
Both infections can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps are particularly concerning for certain E. coli infections.